This is the second time we’ve covered this wonderful event and are humbled to share with our readers the great work that this organization does to help children around the world. Did you know that every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft and 1-in-10 of those children will die before their first birthday. Operation Smile provides free surgery to children suffering from facial deformities around the world and helps them heal their smiles which also transforms their lives.

On hand to serve as Master of Ceremonies was Billy Bush who was busy greeting everyone on the red carpet as they were making their way inside the showroom. Operation Smile honored their Smile Ambassadors, Dancing with the Stars co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet and her husband David Charvet along with philanthropist Jill Grey, the outdoor footwear company Sanuk, humanitarians Julia and Stephanie Argyros, Krsita Jajonie and Daneia Sanadiki. Also on hand were the Gala co-chairs, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, Sue Naegle, Jennifer Salke and Dr. Randy Sherman.

About Operation Smile
Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is an international children’s medical charity with a presence in more than 60 countries, whose network of 5,000 medical volunteers from 80 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided more than 2 million healthcare evaluations and conducted over 200,000 free surgical procedures for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities, as well as patients suffering from burns. For more information, please visit www.operationsmile.org. Operation Smile’s 2012 30th Anniversary Smile Gala was produced for the eighth consecutive year by Scott Mauro Entertainment, Inc.

We’re excited to be covering the D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Expo – here are some photos and videos from the past two days in Anaheim. D23 guests got to see first hand – the creative teams and stars of some of the upcoming films that Disney has planned for release in the coming year.

Day One Video Recap

Day Two Video Recap

Sold Out Crowds on Saturday at D23

FANS At D23

A Big Hit today – Marvel Comics Cast of the Avengers!

Marvel’s president of Production Kevin Feige joined some of the top names in film on Saturday, August 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the Walt Disney Studios panel to discuss Marvel Studios’ plans for 2012, including the hotly anticipated Marvel’s The Avengers!

25 Years of Pixar

John Lasseter (chief creative officer, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios) and other key creative figures responsible for twenty-five years of moviemaking magic and 12 heartwarming and groundbreaking films at Pixar were at D23 to talk about past and future projects.

Upcoming Feature Films were highlighted at D23

DisneyToon Studios’ PlanesIt was announced that actor Jon Cryer (TV’s “Two and a Half Men”) will voice the main character in DisneyToon Studios’ Planes. Jon joined John Lasseter on stage for the announcement and to introduce the teaser trailer of the film.

Disney’s Wreck-It RalphDirector Rich Moore welcomed Jack McBrayer and Sarah Silverman on stage where the D23 audience was the first to see the opening sequence from the movie.

Disney•Pixar’s BraveFilmmakers Mark Andrews and Katherine Sarafian were joined by actors Kelly Macdonald and Kevin McKidd to present footage from the film.

KATHERIINE SARAFIAN, MARK ANDREWS

Disney•Pixar’s Monsters UniversityIn a special surprise appearance, Billy Crystal, flanked by Mike Wazowski and Sulley, joined director Dan Scanlon to discuss the film and show some behind-the-scenes making of the film.

Tim Burton’s FrankenweenieProducers Don Hahn and Allison Abbate gave fans a sneak peek at what’s to come in next year’s film, including a demonstration on how these fascinating characters come to life through stop-motion animation.

The Odd Life of Timothy GreenThe film’s star Jennifer Garner was on hand to talk about the inspiring, magical film and her experience making the movie.

Oz The Great and PowerfulUnable to join in person as they’re currently filming in Detroit, the film’s director Sam Raimi and stars James Franco, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis and Zach Braff provided fans with a first look at the making of Oz The Great and Powerful via a taped piece from the set of the film.
Disney’s The MuppetsStars Jason Segel, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy gave fans an exclusive look at never-before-seen footage from their upcoming film.

Via Flickr:
Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $42 for a one-day adult ticket and $32 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $121 for adults and $91 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

About D23 Expo 2011
The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks. For schedules, live updates, interactive features and tools, polls and much more, check out the D23 Expo mobile app at www.D23mobile.com! To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo. For questions during the D23 Expo, get answers by sending tweets to @D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923, when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, the Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.

Before we get into all the happenings, we’ve been asked what is D23 and what am I missing? D23 is an ultimate fan club that includes a special website, Disney twenty-three Magazine, member gifts, events, exclusive merchandise, and the D23 Expo, a Disney fan convention AKA “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” – wrapped around the name D23 which is “Disney + 1923″ combined.

The Official Disney Fan Club (D23) helps fans old and new celebrate the magic that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his studio in Hollywood.

Now that you know what D23 is, let’s take a look at the Expo going on right now!

D23 Expo 2011 Highlights:

Exclusive Screenings and Sneak Peeks D23 Expo 2011 guests will sneak peeks and screenings of upcoming Disney TV shows, specials and movies and TV shows from The Avengers, The Muppets, John Carter, Brave, The Lion King in 3D, Frankenweenie, and Oz The Great + many more.

Special Past, Present and Future Disney Presentations During the three day long expo there will be lots to choose from so guests can go “behind the magic” and get an up close look at Disney theme park attractions and entertainment.

Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit Walt Disney Archives has assembled a 12,000-square-foot exhibition featuring props, costumes and set pieces from LOST and Pirates of the Caribbean; a room devoted to 1982’s Tron, and not to be left out, there will be lots of vintage Mickey Mouse memorabilia. You’ll even get to see Walt Disney’s limousine, a 23-foot-long model of the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean and the Dharma Initiative Volkswagen van from LOST.

Convention Center Arena Presentations There’s a 4,000-seat Arena in the Anaheim Convention Center where you can watch special presentations starting with the Disney Legends ceremony, honoring individuals who have contributed to the Disney legacy including Regis Philbin, Jim Henson and the voices of many of the Disney Princesses. You’ll also get to see our favorites Zendaya and Bella Thorne and a performance by the cast of the Disney Channel hit Shake It Up.

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Congrats Stephanie!

We are honored that our Executive Producer, Stephanie Piche, was named to the 2012 TOP 100 Digital Sisterhood Network list under the category of Creativista: a woman who gives birth to creativity (art, books, films, products, services, and webisodes). Click for more.